Jack Lee (politician) facts for kids

Jackson "Jack" Lee (April 8, 1920 – June 10, 2014) was an American radio broadcaster and politician. In 1971, Lee became the first Republican Mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina, in the 1900s. He served as the city's Mayor for two terms, from 1971 to 1975. Lee was also chosen as the leader of the North Carolina Republican Party in 1977. Many people believe he helped bring the state Republican Party together during his time as chairman.

About Jack Lee's Life

Early Life and Radio Career

Jack Lee was born on April 8, 1920, in Fremont, Nebraska. His father, Earl Lee, was a member of the Nebraska Legislature for 14 years. This is like being a state lawmaker.

Jack Lee earned his college degree in 1941 from the University of Nebraska. After college, he served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He fought in the Pacific Ocean area.

After the war, Lee moved to Delaware. He started working as a reporter for radio stations there. He eventually became a radio station manager.

In 1960, Lee bought a radio station in Fayetteville, North Carolina, called WFAI-AM. He moved to Fayetteville with his wife, Virginia, and their three children.

Under Lee's leadership, WFAI-AM was the first radio station in eastern North Carolina to broadcast daily editorial shows. These shows were hosted by Jesse Helms. Lee publicly supported Helms when he ran for the U.S. Senate in 1972.

Lee sold WFAI in the early 1970s. He wanted to focus more on his political career.

Becoming a Political Leader

Jack Lee was a conservative Republican. At that time, the Fayetteville area was mostly a Democratic stronghold. This means most people there supported the Democratic Party. Lee became the Republican campaign manager for Cumberland County. He helped set the stage for Republicans to gain more support in the area later on.

His political journey began in 1964. He ran for a seat in the North Carolina Senate as a Republican. He lost this election, getting only 30% of the votes. Lee later said he ran so that the Republican Party would at least have a candidate.

Lee led the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce from 1965 to 1968. This group helps local businesses. He was also active in many other business and community groups.

Serving as Mayor

In 1971, Jack Lee won the Fayetteville mayoral election. This election was nonpartisan, meaning candidates did not officially run as a Republican or Democrat. Lee defeated city councilman Denny Shaffer by a large number of votes. Even though it was nonpartisan, Lee made history. He became Fayetteville's first Republican mayor of the 20th Century.

In 1973, U.S. President Richard Nixon appointed Mayor Lee to a national education council.

Lee was re-elected for a second two-year term as Mayor in 1973. However, he decided not to run for re-election in 1975. Beth Finch, a Democrat, became the next mayor. She was Fayetteville's first female mayor.

Leading the Republican Party

After leaving the mayor's office, Jack Lee focused on leading the North Carolina Republican Party. Important supporters included U.S. Senator Jesse Helms. Lee was chosen as Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party on April 16, 1977. He ran unopposed after his opponent stepped down.

At that time, the state Republican Party was divided. There were supporters of Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. Lee is widely praised for bringing the party together after a long period of disagreements. Lee believed that Republican ideas would appeal to conservative-leaning Democrats in the state. Under his leadership, Ronald Reagan won North Carolina in the 1980 presidential election.

In 1983, President Reagan appointed Lee to a new role. He became the director of legislative affairs for the Federal Communications Commission. This agency oversees radio and TV.

Later Life

After retiring from politics, Lee returned to radio. He worked at radio stations in coastal North Carolina during the 1980s and 1990s. He continued to work in radio sales even into his 80s. Eventually, he moved to New Mexico to be closer to his family.

Jack Lee passed away in Farmington, New Mexico, on June 10, 2014. He was 94 years old. His health had declined after he got a respiratory illness in late 2013. He was survived by his second wife, Pam. His first wife, Virginia Lee, had passed away several years before him.